Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey professional recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may maintain your kitty blissful, wholesome, and feline nice. Keep tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that matter most to you and your cat, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care to your furry companion.
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Assist! My Cat Threw Up White Foam!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
My cat, Mirabella, threw up extra white foam. One of many posts on Catster shared what to look out for in several cat vomit, so I’m very involved. I’ve spoken to the vet workplace that I take my cat to, however I’m nonetheless confused. Are you able to assist? – Catherine
Hello Catherine,
I fully perceive why you’re feeling confused—seeing Mirabella vomit, particularly white foam, will be unsettling. Vomiting in cats can have many causes, starting from gentle to critical. White foam typically means that the abdomen is empty, which might occur if a cat goes too lengthy with out consuming, has gentle gastritis (abdomen irritation), or is experiencing an underlying concern like acid reflux disease. Nonetheless, frequent vomiting, lethargy, decreased urge for food, or some other adjustments in habits might point out a extra regarding situation, comparable to an obstruction, pancreatitis, or an underlying sickness.
Because you’ve already reached out to your vet, that’s a superb step. If Mirabella continues to vomit, appears uncomfortable, refuses meals, or develops some other regarding indicators, she needs to be seen promptly. Within the meantime, providing small, bland meals like plain boiled hen or a delicate abdomen weight loss program in tiny quantities might assist settle her abdomen. Holding her hydrated and monitoring for any adjustments are essential. I do know that is irritating, however you’re doing the appropriate factor by paying attention. If her vomiting persists or worsens, following up together with your vet for a extra thorough analysis could be greatest. Mirabella is fortunate to have you ever searching for her!
I hope she will get higher quickly,
Dr. Paola
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Assist! I Need to Hold My Cats Separate!
“Hello Dr Paola!
I’ve three cats. My 12-year-old cat (Jinx) and a 2-year-old cat (Sherbert) had been in the home collectively and bought alongside nice. Then Rocky confirmed up on our porch. I fell in love and introduced him into the fold. Jinx is the goofiest lovebug you’ll ever meet—EXCEPT when he sees Rocky. He instantly begins growling and hissing, after which Rocky will get defensive, they usually have even attacked one another. Nothing I’ve carried out appears to assist. They nonetheless hate one another. So for over 2 years, now we have saved them aside. Rocky sleeps in my room and stays there all morning. Then the opposite two go in, and Rocky will get free-range home time till bedtime. It’s so exhausting, and I really feel so dangerous, however I can’t let any of them go. Our home is tiny, and I work full time, so it’s exhausting for me to do any of the guidelines I discover on-line. Do you could have ANY recommendation in any respect? My coronary heart breaks every single day to maintain them like this. “ – Carrie
Hello Carrie,
I can actually really feel how a lot love and dedication you could have for all three of your cats. Managing a family the place two cats don’t get alongside is extremely robust, particularly in a small area, however the truth that you’ve discovered a technique to maintain everybody protected and cozy for over two years is a testomony to your persistence and care. It’s fully comprehensible to really feel heartbroken, however please know that you’re already doing a lot to make the perfect of a troublesome scenario.
Since Jinx and Rocky have an ingrained hostility towards one another, a full reset could be the one technique to try to rebuild their relationship. This may imply ranging from scratch with a sluggish and structured reintroduction course of, as if they’d by no means met. Nonetheless, given your full-time work schedule and the restricted area, that is probably not a practical possibility. In that case, one of the simplest ways to ease tensions could be oblique constructive associations. Attempt swapping their bedding steadily in order that they get used to one another’s scent in a non-threatening means. Utilizing a multi-cat pheromone diffuser in widespread areas may promote a calmer ambiance. Moreover, in case you have time, participating in parallel play—the place you play with every cat individually however in sight of one another (even by means of a child gate or a cracked door)—can assist them affiliate one another with constructive experiences.
Some cats, like Jinx and Rocky, might by no means be greatest pals, and that’s okay. If full integration isn’t doable, optimizing the separate residing association to cut back stress is a wonderfully legitimate and loving method. If there’s any technique to create even vertical separation, like reverse sides of wall-mounted cabinets or tall cat timber, it might assist them coexist in the identical room with out feeling straight threatened. You’re not failing them, Carrie; you’re giving them a house the place they’re protected and cherished. And that’s every part. Likewise, in the event you would extra data, you’ll be able to converse with one in every of our vets. We now have a web based televet service, PangoVet, the place you’ll be able to converse face-to-face and get behavioral and coaching recommendation from one in every of our skilled veterinarians.
Better of luck,
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Cats No Longer Get Alongside!
“Expensive Dr. Paola,
Our cats have been separated for two-and-a-half years. Mari turned aggressive when Katia got here again from having her enamel cleaned. They now will eat collectively on both facet of a child gate. Mari is on treatment for nervousness, and we use Feliway diffusers. We want to reunite the cats, however we’re apprehensive about Mari’s tendency to be territorial. They’re additionally each connected to me, and I’m afraid that Mari will assault Katia if I’m holding her. “ – Eileen
Hello Eileen,
It’s great that you simply’ve been so affected person and devoted to serving to Mari and Katia really feel extra comfy round one another. The truth that they will now eat calmly on both facet of a child gate is a big step it means they will share an area positively, even when there’s nonetheless a barrier. Given Mari’s territorial nature and her sturdy attachment to you, a cautious and gradual method will probably be key to creating their reunion as easy as doable.
Since Mari’s aggression was triggered by a change in Katia’s scent after the dental process, persevering with scent swapping can assist keep familiarity. Rubbing a mushy fabric on Katia and inserting it in Mari’s resting areas (and vice versa) can additional reinforce constructive associations. You may additionally strive quick, supervised interactions whereas participating them in a shared, gratifying exercise, comparable to playtime with a wand toy or constructive reinforcement coaching. The objective is to maintain them centered on one thing constructive whereas steadily normalizing one another’s presence.
Your concern about Mari’s response whenever you’re holding Katia is legitimate. Cats can change into possessive over their favourite human, and being bodily elevated could make Katia extra weak. As a substitute of holding her throughout early interactions, strive being current in a impartial, open area the place each cats can transfer freely. It is rather essential to be observant of their physique language. If you happen to discover pressure and even precursors of aggression, calmly redirect their focus with toys or a mild distraction relatively than intervening bodily, which might escalate stress. Since Mari is already on treatment for nervousness, discussing the transition together with your vet could also be useful to make sure her present therapy is optimized for this course of. You’re making considerate selections for his or her well-being, and with persistence, they are able to share area once more—even when they by no means change into greatest pals, cats can study to tolerate one another, and coexisting peacefully is a practical and worthwhile objective so long as every has their very own territory.
Good luck,
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
